The Significance of Summer Solstice
The significance of the Summer Solstice in our area is undoubtedly the fact that, from now on, the days will be shorter again.
But wait!
First, we need to celebrate the astronomical beginning of the summer in the northern hemisphere.
So what is the Summer Solstice, and how does it happen?
This occurs when one of Earth‘s poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun.
In our hemisphere, this happens either on June 20 or June 21, and it is also known as the June solstice.
The summer solstice is the day with the longest period of daylight and the shortest night of the year when the Sun is at its highest position in the sky.
Culturally, there is evidence that this event has been important since the Neolithic era.
Many ancient monuments, especially in Europe but also in the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas, were built with the sunrise or sunset on the summer solstice as their guide.
In some European countries, the time around the summer solstice is called midsummer, as it might be the warmest time of the summer.
Most cultures celebrate around that time with various holidays, festivals, and rituals with themes of fertility.
How will you celebrate this longest day?
I hope some of our ideas in this week’s newsletter will help you find the best way to honor the year’s longest day!
Monday: Art News Today
Aeo Fine Art
Aeo Fine Art Gallery is one of the newest galleries in downtown.
The name of the Gallery, “Aeo Fine Art,” refers to the name of an endangered species of native Hawaiian water bird.
After spending 20 years in Maui, Hawaii, Steve and Angela Sallerson relocated to downtown Greensboro, NC, in the summer of 2023.
The couple managed the Wertheim Contemporary Gallery and other art facilities in Maui.
They left only 3 days before the devastating fires destroyed big parts of Lahaina. Then, 34 galleries burned to the ground, and some of their artist friends lost many original art pieces.
The Sallerson’s took to showcase what was left on inventory in their new Gallery, located at 201 S. Elm Street in downtown Greensboro.
The Aeo Fine Art Gallery is not just another gallery. It hosts a unique collection of original paintings, sculptures, and jewelry from internationally recognized artists.
The art displayed in this completely renovated and airy space is comparable with the exhibitions art lovers might find in bigger markets like Paris, Miami, or Barcelona.
Greensboro, NC, is so lucky to have an art gallery of this magnitude.
Tuesday: Foodie News Today
‘cille and ‘scoe – A Southern Eatery
Walking up and down Elm Street during the summer is one of my favorite things to do.
And when I get hungry, I stop at ‘cille & ‘scoe – A Southern Eatery on 312 South Elm Street, downtown Greensboro, NC. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience.
It is another locally owned restaurant and a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic taste of the Southern eatery.
Sean Reaves, the restaurant owner, fell in love with cooking early on in his life. He also learned how to cultivate products from seed to the final dish.
His grandparents, Lucille ‘cille and Roscoe ‘scoe, taught him about food. They had a large garden, and the Farm-to-Table concept was a natural way of cooking in his life.
Sean worked at various prestigious restaurants in this area, and jointly with his wife, Tara, his dream of having his own restaurant came true.
‘cille & ‘scoe – A Southern Eatery prides itself on dishes from a time that has passed, but with a modern and upscale twist.
Wednesday: Architectural News Today
First Presbyterian Church
Churches in the USA differ from those in Europe in their architecture. The European churches have been built there for centuries.
Their architectural styles span multiple periods and are showcased throughout European countries.
It goes from Byzantine (6th century) to Romanesque and Gothic (12th century), Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo (18th century), Revivals, Modern, and Post-Modern (current).
Greensboro, NC, was founded in 1808, and its architectural styles don’t vary as much.
The First Presbyterian Church was founded in 1824 and was the first chartered Presbyterian Church in the city. Four of the 12 founding members were enslaved people.
Their third building was a Romanesque Revival-style brick structure. Today, it houses the Greensboro Historical Museum.
The First Presbyterian Church is now located in the Fisher Park Historic District.
The Church moved into its fourth and current building in 1929. This Gothic Revival cathedral overlooks Fisher Park.
Thursday: History Facts Today
The Neighborhood of Warnersville
With all the Juneteenth Celebrations this week, I find it only appropriate to talk about the Warnersville Neighborhood in Greensboro, NC.
People might not know about this area, but the neighborhood started in 1868 after a Pennsylvanian Quaker named Yardley Warner sold 35 acres of land to a group of freed enslaved people.
Warner reached out for the help of a formerly enslaved person, Harmon Unthank, to attract residents to this community. Unthank rose to this occasion and became one of the early leaders of this community. Later, his nickname was “The Boss.”
The Warnersville community would soon be a haven for formerly enslaved people and African American migrants.
The idea of having a strong, independent community drove the founders of Warnersville and helped to sustain it over the years.
By 1910, a few black schools were built in that area, and by 1920, three other black communities arose within Greensboro.
The Warnersville community faced hardships over the years, with the most obvious one – Racism.
However, the residents of Warnersville always knew who they were and what they did.
With the start of building their own businesses, including grocery stores, barber shops, and funeral homes, as well as nightclubs, these black-owned businesses provided much-needed services and jobs but also gave a sense of pride for its citizens.
Staying on the topic of churches from our Wednesday News, quite a few churches were built from the ground up in the Warnersville neighborhood.
Here are the names of some of these churches: Shiloh Baptist Church, St. James Baptist Church, Trinity AME Zion Church, and Gethsemane Baptist Church.
The “urban renewal” in Warnersville
Between 1969 and 1971, the City of Greensboro started the “urban renewal” project, which destroyed many businesses in this area.
Some of their churches even had to be relocated to the outskirts of their neighborhood.
Although the promise of the city was to better this area, very few citizens of Warnersville shared this sentiment.
But to this day, the Warnersville community displays a strong sense of pride and is an active part of our city.
The Downtown Greenway takes you also to this part of the city.
Today, plenty of black-owned businesses exist in all parts of Greensboro, NC.
Friday: Fun Weekend News
Summer Solstice
With the longest day and the shortest night coming up this weekend, there is no better place to celebrate the Summer Solstice than at the Greensboro Arboretum.
What started in 2005 with a few creative souls coming together to celebrate this event has blossomed into a big and fun event, the Greensboro Summer Solstice Festival, which hosts over 5000 attendees.
If you have never been, be prepared to mingle with elves, fairies, warlocks, and mermaids.
The atmosphere in the Arboretum is magical and fun during the Summer Solstice Festival.
This event is perfect for all age groups.
Music bands will entertain throughout the day on various stages.
You will also find merchants selling art and summer-related products.
About 20 Food Trucks will be on hand for the snacks.
Look out for me at this fun and family-oriented event.
Conclusion of the third week of June 2024
There are so many things happening in the city at once. And it’s so hard to keep up.
Celebrating the “Freedom Day” with our African American friends and visiting various neighborhoods in our city is free and priceless.
Remember: We are already halfway through the year. So make the best of it and spend time with your loved ones. And make new friends.
There are plenty of opportunities in this great city of Greensboro, NC.
If you want to learn more about our great city of Greensboro, NC, subscribe to our newsletter and read the previous ones for more tips and fascinating subjects.
REMEMBER:
Contact me to book your guided walking tours quickly:
Watch for the dates and join me in the most attractive for you.
You can join me on one of my tours, at a restaurant, or outside in the parks.
Drop me a line if you’d like to meet up at marion@travellikealocalwithmarion.com.
Marion
Your Tour Guide with Heart